LOS ANGELES – Wichita State completed another double digit second half comeback to defeat Montana in overtime in the opening game of the LMU Thanksgiving Classic, 78-69, Friday afternoon.
Wichita State (4-1) won its third straight game and second straight facing a double digit deficit in the second half. It marked the second overtime contest of the season through the first five games for the Shockers.
Jane Asinde was dominant for Wichita State, finishing with 20 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. It marked her second double-double of the season. Trajata Colbert just missed a double-double with 20 points and nine boards. Her 20 points were one shy of a career high.
Wichita State may not win the game without the red-hot shooting from Shamaryah Duncan in overtime. Duncan cashed in a trio of three-pointers and scored 10 of her 17 points in the extra session.
The trio of Asinde, Colbert and Duncan combined for 57 of Wichita State's 76 points.
Wichita State outscored Montana 20-11 in the overtime period and forced OT after holding the Lady Griz scoreless the final 3:24 of regulation.
Wichita State shot 42 percent from the field and outrebounded Montana by 11. Sixteen of Wichita State's 47 rebounds came on the offensive end, which led to 23 second chance points.
A low scoring first half saw Montana hold a lead for essentially the entire 20 minutes but couldn't never get any separation. They would lead by just two at the break, 28-26, despite Wichita State going 1-for-7 from three-point range and shooting 31 percent overall.
Asinde and Colbert would score six points apiece to lead the Shockers in the first half.
With the game tied at 36 with 4:52 left in the third quarter, Wichita State would not score again in the frame and Montana would close on a 9-0 run. The Lady Griz extended their run to 11-0 to begin the fourth quarter, giving them a double digit lead.
A 10-4 run for Wichita State pulled them within three, 49-46, at the 6:18 mark. Montana would lead by hold a four-point lead with 3:24 to go, but would not score again in regulation. The Shockers got the game tied at 58 behind a Colbert layup and DJ McCarty jumper with 1:42 remaining but neither team could find the basket, leading to OT.
In the extra session Colbert gave Wichita State the lead and then Duncan caught fire, splashing in all three of her triples. In the blink of an eye, Wichita State led 68-60 at the 2:26 mark and then an Asinde fast break layup pushed it to 73-62, effectively putting the game away.
Up Next
Wichita State caps the LMU Thanksgiving Classic Saturday night vs. Loyola Marymount at 8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT.